The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-02-12
AN EXPLANATION.

lowing explanation 10 questions askeu
him in regard to Senate Bill No. ., viz.
Answering your letter, and also qucs.
ton asked by telegram in regard to the
Lincoln County Railway bill, allow me
to say once for all; The people OF the
county have been crying out for rail.
way for years past Before the Legisla.
tive delegation left the county many of
the heaviest taxpayers repeatedly urged
upon them, or at least one OF them,
that know Of that no measure coming
before the Legislature this winter could
possibly be so important to the people
there, as would be a measure tending
to induce railway construction. To one
gentleman who appealed to me to make
an effort in that direction, explained
that the matter had already received
good deal Of my attention and study, and
that thought that l had conceived such
plan as would remove the principal OBJ.
stacle to railway building mentioned by
representatives of companies likely to
build. further stated that two diff.
cnltes were in the way: first, to avoid a
remission of taxes while practically
reaching the desired result, and, second,
that probably very powerful opposition
to the bill might come from certain
quarter entirely outside the county,
which opposition had hopes could either
be overcome. or turned aside.
immediately on arrival in Carson,
three days before the Legislature met, |
began the work of putting into practical
shape the ideas that had been gathered.
The work was submitted to the Assembly
delegation, Messrs. Clapp and Rice, was
carefully and deliberately considered by
them, discussed fully, and agreed upon.
1t was then submitted to trst.class at
torney who, after careful study, gave
the opinion that it was correct in form
and in accord with the Constitution,
The bill was then introduced in the Sen.
ate and passed unanimously, after a
slight effort had been unsuccessfully
made to amend it. When the bill
reached the Assembly it was ordered
printed-an unusual proceedings with
bills affecting only one county. The
members Of the delegation had intended
to print at their own expense) This de.
layed somewhat. We were particularly
anxious to get the bill quickly in order
that it might be disposed Of before the
U, s. Senatorial, Warden and Regency
elections, and before the numerous com
plications and tradA that always conner
in after the Legislature has been in SEES
sion a.fsw weeks,s We knew that with
these complications aud. trades the OPP
position wouif~'have more powerful,
weapons than even money would be with
this Legislature. Up to the time of tn,
second postponement that was made,
believe the delays to be occasioneC
simply by the ineSperience Of som,
county delegations who, though they
were not in the slightest degree affected
by the bill, seemed to think it their dut,
to make close investigation. But a
this point we received clear and positive
proof that the opposition was at work
We then made our most earnest efforts
We were informed that the bill woul,
not be considered on Monday, the da.
on which it would naturally come up
that no matter what we did we could no
pass it on that day. We knew that il i
could be delayed beyond that day i
would, probably, never be passed, an,
would certainly result in tying GU
hands and placing us in a very embar
RAISING position in future legislation
This was on Friday night. Betwee
that time and Monday morning ever
friend, personal or political, was presse'
into service, The newspaper press CAV
us valuable moral aid. Every interes
that could possibly be enlisted-an
there were several powerful ones whc
eould-was brought to bear, and on Mon
day morning we had more than two
thirds Of the Assembly ready to supper
every move made by our delegation o
that day The opposition then discovere
our overwhelming strength and shortl
before the meeting, seeing no possibilit
Of even delaying the matter, and no
wishing to appear to have been defeated
threw their few remaining votes to on
side, making the action of the assembl
unanimous. Then the Governors assen
being still necessary the constitutionalit
Of the bill was questioned; but after
thorough examination Of the whole bill
and particularly the points questioned
the overwhelming weight of legal au
thority in favor of the views taken b
us, left no room for doubt, either as t
the constitutionality or efficacy of tn
| l.,